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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2002-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer is known for many things, but perhaps it is most famous for its faulty fuel gauge.

This gauge flip-flops more than a politician during election season. Some report that the gauge says "empty" after a fill-up, while others report the gauge says "full" when they're running on fumes. Either way, there's one thing everyone seems to agree on: the darn thing is just wrong.

Following hundreds of complaints and a few accidents allegedly caused by the malfunction, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into the issue in May 2011. Unfortunately for frustrated owners, no recall has been announced.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
151,929 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer lights problems

lights problem

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2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 5 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #25

Dec 242009

Trailblazer

  • 69,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Headlights flicker and then go out leaving no daytime running lights or headlights for night, rain or snowy conditions. It is not possible to fix without taking in, 2 local garages immediately knew what the problem was and didn't even have to order the parts.

- Cambridge, WI, USA

problem #24

Dec 242009

Trailblazer

  • miles
Driver's side headlight was flickering on and off intermittently prior to it ceasing to turn on. The bulbs were replaced but the driver's side headlight does not work! we contacted two local garages and they say that this is a normal occurrence for Trailblazers, and that the headlight socket needs to be replaced. I have seen multiple complaints online complaining about this same issue. I am astounded that there is not a safety recall addressing the total loss of the use of the headlights! I would think that not being able to see at night would be a definite safety risk!

- Mukwonago, WI, USA

problem #23

Nov 072009

Trailblazer

  • miles
Headlights intermittently 'flash' for a second during first 5-10 minutes of driving. Have replaced alternator and idler pulley. GM suggests letting vehicle idle 1+ minute after start before engaging gear; this sometimes works. Dangerous and distracting to other motorists, as it appears to them like my vehicle is flashing its highbeams.

- Menomonee Falls, WI, USA

problem #22

Mar 172009

Trailblazer

  • 86,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The brake lights on my 2005 Trailblazer keep going out. I have replaced the bulbs 3 times in a 3 month period. The malfunction has nearly caused an accident.

- Zanesville, OH, USA

problem #21

Oct 102009

Trailblazer

  • 43,000 miles
Brake lights seem to be overheating. Bulb melts off the contact piece. Interior of housing unit is melting as well. I have replaced the bulbs at least 2-3 times a year. The only thing I haven't done yet is replace the housing unit.

- Riverview, FL, USA

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problem #20

Aug 012009

Trailblazer

  • 35,789 miles
Headlights diming while driving.

- Cicero, IL, USA

problem #19

May 262009

Trailblazer

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Between the speeds of 35 mph and 60mph the headlights flicker when you let the car return to an idle.

- Lafayette, LA, USA

problem #18

Apr 192009

Trailblazer

  • 31,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving 50 mph, the contact heard a loud banging noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. She pulled the vehicle over and noticed that the plastic covering detached on the brake light, which was located on the rear liftgate. The contact was able to safely place the piece back on, but the wires were exposed. The piece is not safely in place because it is being held together by duct tape. The vehicle has not been repaired. The dealer stated that the failure would not be covered under warranty. The manufacturer would not provide compensation because the failure was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 31,000 and current mileage was 33,500.

- Setaukek, NY, USA

problem #17

Mar 102007

Trailblazer

  • 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the electrical system failed at least three times in the front passenger seat. Repairs were made under warranty; however, the last failure was the contact's liability. On a separate occasion, she heard a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that there was a pinched wire issue with that particular year, make, and model vehicle that could affect other electrical components. The dealer made repairs, but the failure recurred within 48 hours. The dealer found wiring in a different area that failed and subsequently caused the failure of the front passenger seat. In addition, the exterior lights flickered intermittently, but the mechanic stated that the wiring would not cause that particular failure. The VIN was provided, but was not accepted by the system. The current and failure mileages were less than 43,000.

- Boring, OR, USA

problem #16

Feb 042009

Trailblazer

  • 53,300 miles
The speedometer sticks at various speeds. Sometimes it shows *below* zero when I'm moving. Last night, I was traveling at approx. 65-70mph, I assume, but the speedometer was stuck at 30. When decelerating, the speedometer will stick at certain speeds, and then jerk down suddenly. My Trailblazer only has about 53,000 miles on it. I have seen reports of this issue beginning at 30K, but most kick in at around 50K. I am calling the shop today. From what I've read, it's related to a faulty stepper motor. If I am able to update this report, I will. However, I think this is very unsafe and am not going to wait to report it until after the repair; I've seen at least 40 (I stopped counting) other complaints about a malfunctioning speedometer in 05 Trailblazers on aboutautomobile.com (I also have issues with dimming lights and headlights flashing at night).

- Columbia, IL, USA

problem #15

Dec 102008

Trailblazer

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Head lights dim and brighten while driving. With no reason the lights get very dim and a second later the lights brighten and this cycles over and over. This is very unsafe. Other drivers think I want then to stop or slow down or pull over.

- Grantsville, UT, USA

problem #14

Jan 122009

Trailblazer

  • miles
Massive electrical problems with Chevy Trailblazer 1. while going 10 miles an hour, the speedometer jumps to 120mph then to 50mph then to 120mph again. 2. when I fill up with gas, the gas gauge states that the tank is still empty then moves to full then to a 1/4 then to full then to half etc... 3. while driving at night, my headlights go highbeam to low beam as if I am manually flashing my lights at other cars. I have read on the internet where this is happening to many many people with this same model of Chevrolet SUV and that GM refuses to do anything about this. -I called GM and advised them of the entire issue. They advised me to go to a dealership and have them run a diagnostic as this was needed before they could help me. -I went to the dealer and paid $115 for the diagnostic, needless to say the repairs that the dealer found Ranger over $3000 dollars. -I then called GM back and they took the information that the dealer gave me (donna at 1-866-790-5700 X21153) -I just got a call back from GM stating that because of the mileage on the SUV that they were not going to do anything (they knew about the mileage before they sent me to the dealership!). so I wasted $115 dollars for something that was not needed by GM, and the fact that they knew about the mileage to start off with is a way to let the dealer make some money off the consumer.

- Commerce City, CO, USA

problem #13

Aug 102005

Trailblazer

  • 500 miles
My 2005 Trailblazers headlights flash when you let up off the gas pedal. Also, the amp gauge drops, the engine revs down and the inside fans and lights dim down. The flashing of the headlights is getting worse, and like others have reported, the traffic ahead thinks you are blinking them to either pull over, or speed up. I too notice it more in the colder months. I agree -this is definitely a safety hazard! something needs to be done about it. I have reported the problem, but they say nothing can be done. Purchased this SUV brand new, had problem from the beginning. Too many people with same problem. General Motors should be ashamed.

- Chincoteague, VA, USA

problem #12

Dec 112008

Trailblazer

  • 45,300 miles
My headlights and dash lights flicker while driving. Also while driving my lights will dim and the blower for heat & A/C will slow and then pick up to normal speed again. It also revs by itself, even in park and will go forward slightly when it does surge. These problems only started after the alternator was replaced. I think it is a safety hazard to have lights flickering and engine surges.

- West Bend, WI, USA

problem #11

Nov 072008

Trailblazer

  • miles
The third brake light on my 2005 Chevy Trailblazer works yet the other two brake lights do not. The bulbs have been replaced and that is not the issue. Also, the headlights flicker to high beam at night for no reason. No one seems to know the issue.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #10

Oct 262008

Trailblazer

  • 57,000 miles
I have an 2005 Chevy Trailblazer that the lights constantly are flashing. They dim and then come very bright again non-stop. This can not be safe because for several instances they are so dim that you can't see in the dark. I have had the vehicle in several times when it was under warranty and GM said it was normal when the fan kicks on. Well it is not normal or is it safe. I can not manually flick the lights as fast as they flicker when I am driving down the road. It is very unsafe and GM needs to find a fix for it.

- North English, IA, USA

problem #9

Oct 202008

Trailblazer

  • 64,685 miles
Headlights and dashlights flicker erratically that it almost looks like you are flashing your lights at oncoming motorists. Have had it to the dealer more that six times for this without resolve. The dealer says it is normal, and they don't care if we get killed.

- Erie, CO, USA

problem #8

May 292008

Trailblazer

  • 43,000 miles
I own a 2005 Chevy trailbazer. The dash and headlights flicker and dim while night driving no one can find the problem.

- Machias, NY, USA

problem #7

Aug 292008

Trailblazer

  • 33,450 miles
Speedometer on my Trailblazer showed a wildly inaccurate speed reading. This reading was very low and could have resulted in a speeding/ safety situation. The speedometer could give a false reading allowing the driver to enter a curve or city at an unsafe speed. At a stoplight the needle pointed straight down instead of zero. I contacted GM who informed me that there are not enough complaints on this specific model to warrant a recall. As I understand it the components causing the failure in the models being recalled are the same as those in Trailblazers. My vehicle also has the dimming/flickering lights at night. GM has a technical bulletin out that says this is normal. There has to be a reason for these issues. I don't call losing lights at night normal. Nor do I have confidence that the lights will not fail completely.

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #6

Sep 062005

Trailblazer

  • 1,500 miles
Driving at night the head lights dim then brighten the amp gauge drops to 9 then recharges again making the lights come on brighter. Had it to the dealer and they tell me nothing is wrong with it.

- Tampa, FL, USA

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